Photographic developing apparatus



1956 x. BENARDEAU ETAL 3,223,316

PHOTOGRAPHIC DEVELOPING APPARATUS Filed AprilB, 1963 3 Sheets-Sheet 111, 1956 x. BENARDEAU ETAL 3,228,316

PHOTOGRAPHI C DEVELOPING APPARATUS Filed April 2, 1963 3 Sheets-Sheet 211, 1955 x. BENARDEAU ETAL 3,223,316

PHOTOGRAPHIC DEVELOPING APPARATUS 3 Sheets-Sheet 3 Filed April 2, 1963United States Patent Ofiice 3,228,316 Patented Jan. 11, 1966 3,228,316IHQTOGRAPHIC DEVELQPING APPARATUS Xavier Eenardeau and Maurice Marchal,Paris, France,

assignors to Centre National de la Recherche Scientifique, Paris,France, a French government administration Filed Apr. 2, 1963, Ser. No.270,046 Claims priority, application France, Apr. 5, 1962, 8%,450 9Claims. (Cl. 95-905) The present invention relates to a separatingdevice for holding at a distance from one another the overlappingportions of an article to be treated, and in particular of aphotographic or cinematographic film in a developing apparatus.

Tanks for developing films have already been proposed which included anelement for separating from one another the spires formed by the film tobe developed. Such separating means did not permit of avoiding somedrawbacks, in particular scratches and fogs on the films, for instanceduring winding and unwinding operations.

The object of the present invention is to obviate these drawbacks.

The separating device according to the invention is characterized inthat it consists of a strip of an opaque and flexible material, inertwith respect to chemical reactions, and in particular to those takingplace in developing baths, for instance made of stainless steel, andprovided, in close proximity to one of its edges, with at least one rowof perforations spaced from one another and in which is engaged ahelical spring the pitch of which is equal to the distance between twoadjacent perforations.

A-dvantageously the separating device in question is disposed in adevelop-ing apparatus comprising a tank mounted on a support dividedinto two portions and upon which is adapted a hood also divided into twoportions, every portion of the support forming a group with thecorresponding portion of the hood, the two groups thus obtained beingadapted to be connected together in two relative positons thereof, thesetwo groups being in line with each other in that of the two positionswhich corresponds to the utilization of the device for instance fordeveloping purposes, whereas these two groups are joined together by thetwo portions of the support in the other position, which corresponds totransportation of the device.

Concerning said tank, it is advantageously connected to its support by apivot axis which permits of giving it at will any position between ahorizontal position and a vertical position.

Concerning the circulation of the liquids for the treatment of thefilms, it is ensured, once the tank has been placed in a non horizontalposition, by a circuit comprising, on the one hand, a chamber from whichthe tank is fed with treatment fluid by gravity, and which constitutesan overflow reservoir during washing by water introduced into the samecircuit and on the other hand, a pump for the circulation of theliquids.

A preferred embodiment of the present invention will be hereinafterdescribed with reference to the appended drawings given merely by way ofexample and in which:

FIG. 1 is a plan view of the tank of the apparatus.

FIG. 2 is an axial section on the line II-II of FIG. 1;

FIGS. 3, 4 and 5 show three different constructions of a portion of theseparating device;

FIG. 6 is a perspective view of the end of such a separating device;

FIGS. 7 and 8 are views on an enlarged scale, respectively inelevational view and in section on the line VlII-VIII of FIG. 7, of adetail of the tank;

FIG. 9 is an elevational view showing the elements of the circuitthrough which fluids are circulated;

FIG. 10 is an elevational view, with parts torn away, of the whole ofthe apparatus in position of utilization;

FIGS. 11 and 12 are a front view and a side view, respectively, of thesame apparatus in position of transportation.

FIG. 1 shows a tank 1 in the form of a spool on which can be wound thefilm to be developed and the separating member cooperating therewith.This spool is provided, on its upper plate 2, with two connections 3 forthe circulation of treatment fluids, which may be closed by means ofhollow cylindrical valves 4 as visible in a more detailed fashion byFIGS. 7 and 8.

Instead of valves 4, we may advantageously use a fixed nozzle providedwith extensions consisting of flexible pipes which do not flatten andthe shape of which is such that light cannot leak into tank 1, the innerwall of these pipes being such that light is not reflected thereon, thissurface being for instance dull and of black colour.

Tank 1 can be brought into vertical position by rotation about twohinges 5, in particular in order to introduce, to extract, or tocirculate a treatment fluid.

FIG. 2 shows the film 6 to be developed, this film being spiral wound intank 1. The successive spires of this film are separated from oneanother by a separating member 7, also spiral wound. A resilient packingmemher 8, of toroidal shape, made for instance of sponge rubber, ensuresliquidtightness and prevents the inflow of light.

FIGS. 7 and 8 show an inlet 3 on an enlarged scale. Said inlet 3comprises a hollow sleeve 4 operated by means of a rod 9 and along theaxis of which a liquid treatment can flow in, as indicated by thearrows. In the open position, which is that illustrated by the drawing,a lateral opening 4,, of sleeve 4 is in register with a correspondingopening of the body, said last mentioned opening being in communicationwith a rectangular opening provided in the upper side 2 of the tank.

In order to obtain a fluidtight closing of the tank, it suffices to turnrod 9 through about a quarter of a circumference, so as to place theopening 4, of cylindrical sleeve 4 opposite a solid portion ofconnection 3. Fluidtightness is ensured by packing rings such as 10.

The separating member 7, visible on FIG. 2, consists, according to theinvention, of a strip 11 of stainless steel, provided near each of itsedges with means for the passage of a liquid.

In the embodiment illustrated by FIG. 3, said means comprise a row ofholes 12 at regular interval from one another. In the embodimentillustrated by FIG. 4, the means in question comprise two rows of holes12, the holes of one row being staggered with respect to those of theother row. In the embodiment illustrated by FIG. 5, the means inquestion comprise a row of holes 12 and a row of notches 13, saidnotches being disposed in staggered relationship with respect to saidholes. In holes 12, and in the case of FIG. 5 also in notches 13, areengaged the spires of a coil-shaped spring 14, for instance of stainlesssteel, the pitch of which is equal to the distance between the edges andholes. Each of said springs 14 serves to ensure the desired spacingbetween the spires of film, while permitting circulation of thetreatment fluid between said spires. The whole of strip 11. and spring14 (engaged in holes 12, in the case of FIGS. 3 and 5, and also innotches 13 in the case of FIG. 4) constitutes an intermediate band whichis practically non deformable, strong, opaque to light and does notrequire particular maintenance. By way of indication, it is noted thatspring 14 may be made of stainless steel wire having a diameter of 0.5mm.

The arrangement of FIG. 3 is advantageous from the point of view ofsimplicity of manufacture because it requires only one row of holes onevery edge of strip 11. The width l of said strip 11 is in this casesmaller than the distance d between the side walls of tank 1 by anamount equal to twice the diameter of the wire from which spring 14 ismade, that is to say by 1 mm. when the diameter of said wire is 0.5 mm.

However, when it is desired to reduce the possibilities of flow of airor treatment liquids between the edges of the separating member and theinner walls 15 of tank 1, it seems preferable to have recourse to one ofthe modifications illustrated by FIGS. 4 and 5. In both of thesemodifications the width 1 of strip 11 is but very little smaller thanthe distance d between the inner walls 15 of tank 1.

Also, in order to reduce the possibilities of flow through holes 12, itis preferable to make use of the modifications of FIG. 5 where the totalarea of the marginal notches 13 is smaller than that of a row of holes12. Thus a regular flow of the treated liquids on the surfaces of thefilm is obtained.

Advantageously the length of separating member 7 is greater than that ofthe film to be treated so that, when film 6 and separating member 7 havebeen wound in tank 1, separating member 7 overlaps film 6 by at leastone complete turn and thus ensures an efiicient protection against lightso as to avoid fogging of the end of the film when the cover of the tankis opened as it will be hereinafter explained.

In order to prevent separating member 7 from unwind ing spontaneously,it is provided at one of its ends with an element such as shown by FIG.6. This element consists of a plate spring 16 some millimeters wide,fixed on said separating member 7, for instance by rivetting,perpendicularly to its axis. The two ends of spring plate 16 are foldedat substantially right angle and are adapted to bear against the innerfaces of the side walls of tank 1.

Furthermore the end of the separating member may be engaged in aresiliently mounted part fixed to the axis of a magazine spool fromwhich said separating member is extracted.

In another blocking system, separating strip 7 is provided with amagnetic element, for instance a magnet or a ferrite piece fixed to oneof its ends, this element being adapted to be fixed on a steel orferrite piece, itself mounted on the preceding spire of the separatingmember.

The apparatus will now be described with more specific reference fromFIGS. 9 to 12 inclusive.

The film to be developed being wound on a spool rotatable on a spindle41 whereas separating member 7 is wound on spool 42, the end of saidfilm and the end of separating member 7 are both secured to the core 101of spool-shaped tank 1. The opaque hood 39a, 30b is then fixed inposition on support 31a, 31b and crank 37, the extensions 37a and 37b ofwhich bear, inside the apparatus, on parts 3, is operated so as to windboth the film and separating strip 7 around the core 1a of spool 1.

Owing to its length, which is greater than that of the film, separatingstrip 11 surrounds said film over at least one supplementary turn. Theend of said separating .strip is fixed in position by means of thefixation device above described so that spontaneous unwinding is madeimpossible. Experience teaches that the protection thus obtained with anopaque separating strip acording to the invention is sufiicient topermit of removing hood 30a, 30b and of setting resilient packing member8 in position, thus ensuring liquidtight and lighttight protection ofthe film.

Tank 1 is then pivoted into the non horizontal position where the fiilmis treated by successive baths.

FIG. 9 diagrammatically shows, by way of example, a circuit forcirculation of the liquid necessary for the treatment of the film.Connections 3 are so disposed that the liquid circulation pipes can befitted thereon quickly without risk of fogging the film.

Connections 3 are connected together by a pipe 17 in which is interposeda pump 18, suitably driven, either electrically or mechanically. A-vessel 20 is in communi cation with the upper connection 3 of tank 1,said vessel 29 serving to the introduction of the baths into tank 1.During the operation, 2@ may also act as an expansion vessel and serveto the evacuation of the air bubbles which may form in tank 1. Vessel 20is connected through a pipe 21 with a conduit 22 serving to theevacuation of liquids. Washing water may be fed through a conduit 23.Valves 24 and 25 make it possible to separate the circuit from conduits22 and 23.

This arrangement is used in the following manner: Valves 24 and 25 beingclosed, the treatment liquid is introduced into vessel 20 and pump 18 isoperated. If it is supposed that pump 18 forces liquid through theportion of pipe 17 located above said pump, this liquid is thenintroduced through the upper connection 3 into tank 1, passes throughsaid tank, flows out therefrom through the lower connection 3 andreturns to the pump through the lower branch of conduit 17. Acirculation of liquid is thus ensured in tank 1. Once this liquid hasacted for a suflicient time on the film present in tank 1, the pump isstopped and said tank 1 is emptied by opening valve 24. Of course theliquid flowing out through pipe 22 may be collected so as to bereutilized. The same operation is repeated for each of the differentliquids to be used. In order to wash the film, it sufiices to closevalve 24 and to open valve 25, pump 18 being in operation. The overflowof water first fills vessel 20 and then flows out through pipe 21.

After this washing operation, the film is dried by blowing air, possiblyslightly heated, through tank 1, by means of a fan connected with thecircuit above described.

After these developing, washing and drying operations, the film is woundupon the spool (not shown) fitted on spindle 41 whereas separating strip7 is wound upon the magazine spool 32.

For this purpose, the end of the film and the end of the separatingstrip are secured to their respective spools and spool 32 is rotated bymeans of the crank. Tank 1 is thus caused to rotate about its spindle39. Tank 1 drives a roller (not shown) free to rotate about its axis andin contact with a circumferential part of said tank. This roller in turndrives said spool for the winding of the developed film, while beingable to slip slightly so as to compensate for the difference between thecircumferential speeds of winding.

The hole 370 in which the external arm of the crank is engaged may beconnected to an element 38 carried by the portion b of the hood by meansof a bar (or by means of the horizontal arm of the crank) which may thenserve to transportation of the apparatus in the position of utilization.

FIGS. 10, 11 and 12 show a film developing apparatus made according to apreferred embodiment of the invention.

The whole of the devices and parts which constitutes said apparatus ismounted on a support divided into two portions 31a and 31b adapted to befitted together. Each portion of the support and the correspondingportion of the hood form a group. Hood portions Stla and 3% may beplace-d in line with each other in the position of utilizationillustrated by FIG. 10, where, of course, portions 31a and 31b are alsoin line with each other. The hood portions 30a, 3% are fixed on thesupport by screws 35.

Tank 1 is mounted in the portion 31a of the support in such manner as torotate about its vertical axis 39 and said tank can be pivoted about ahorizontal axis due to the provision of hinges 5 so that said tank mayoccupy, at will, any position between a horizontal and a vertical one.The portion 31a of the support also carries a lamp 40.

Portion 31b of the transport carries the spool 32 on which theseparating means 7 can be mounted and this spool 32 is rotatable aboutspindle 42. Portion 31b also carries the pin 41 intended to support thespool on which the film to be developed is initially wound.

In the position illustrated by FIGS. 11 and 12, for transportation ofthe apparatus, portions 31a and 31b of the support are assembledtogether and fixed to each other on the one hand by means of a handle 36secured by screws 35 and on the other hand by means of bars 34 (havingbent ends) which are fixed to the portions 31a and 31b of the support.

The hood 30a, 30b is set in position only for winding the film in thedeveloping tank.

In the apparatus which has been described, the film is helically woundto form spires between which the separating means 7 are interposed.

But of course the film might be accordion plaited and in this case theseparating member is also accordion plaited.

The device according to the present invention is not limited to filmdeveloping apparatus. It may be used advantageously in any chemical orelectro-chemical treatment apparatus and also in any washing, drying, orother apparatus where it is necessary to keep at some distance from eachother respective surfaces of an object to be treated so as to permit theflow of the treatment fluid between these surfaces.

In the case where the invention is applied to an apparatus fordeveloping a photographic or cinematographic film, this invention hasthe further advantage not only of protecting the sensitized surface ofthe film against light but also of avoiding any possibility ofscratching of the film surface by the separating means, the springs 14which extend along the edges of separating strip 11 being in contactexclusively with the marginal portions of the sensitized surface whichbear no picture.

In a general manner, while the above description discloses what aredeemed to be practical and efficient embodiments of the invention, saidinvention is not limited thereto as there might be changes made in thearrangement, disposition and form of the parts without departing fromthe principle of the invention as comprehended within the scope of theappended claims.

What we claim is:

1. An apparatus for the treatment of a band by a liquid, said band beingpacked so that respective portions thereof are located opposite oneanother, which apparatus comprises, in combination, a tank having twowalls parallel to each other and between which said band is disposededgewise so as to fit in the space between said walls, a strip offlexible material packed in a manner similar to that in which said bandis packed so that every portion thereof is located between correspondingportions of said band, said strip being provided, near one of its edges,with at least one row of holes located at equal intervals from oneanother, a helical spring of a pitch equal to the distance between twoadjacent holes of said row passing through said holes so as to keep saidstrip at a uniform distance from said band, and means for circulating afluid through said tank.

2. An apparatus for developing a spiral wound film which comprises, incombination, an annular tank having two parallel fiat walls at adistance from each other a little greater than the width of said film sothat the film can be wound in said tank, a strip of flexible, opaquematerial, inert to film developing chemicals, the width of said stripbeing smaller than the distance between said walls, so that said stripcan be wound helically in said tank in interspacing relation with a filmhelically wound therein, said strip being provided, near each of itsedges, with at least one row of holes located at equal intervals fromone another, a helical spring of a pitch equal to the distance betweentwo adjacent holes of each of said rows passing through said holes so asto keep said strip at a uniform distance from said film, and means forcirculating a liquid through said tank.

3. An apparatus according to claim 2 wherein said strip is made ofstainless steel.

4. An apparatus according to claim 2 wherein said strip is provided neareach of its edges with a single row of holes.

5. An apparatus according to claim 2 wherein said strip is provided neareach of its edges with two rows of holes, the holes of said two rowsbeing staggered with respect to those of the other one.

6. An apparatus according to claim 2 wherein each of the edges of saidstrip is provided with a series of notches and near said edge with aseries of holes, said notches being at the same distance from oneanother as said holes and being staggered with respect thereto.

7. An apparatus according to claim 2 further comprising means carried bysaid strip at one end thereof for preventing unwinding of said strip inposition in said tank.

8. An apparatus for developing a spiral wound film which comprises, incombination, two support portions substantially in the form of plates,two hood portions adapted to fit on said support portions, every supportportion forming a group with one of said hood portions, respectively, anannular tank rotatably mounted on one of said support portions, about anaxis, said annular tank having two parallel flat walls at a distancefrom each other a little greater than the width of the film so that saidfilm can be wound helically in said tank, a spool journalled on theother of said support portions about an axis for receiving a strip offlexible opaque material, inert to film developing chemicals and of awidth smaller than the distance between said annular tank walls, andmeans for assembling said two groups together in two different ways, towit according to a first way with said plates in line with each otherand the axis of said annular tank parallel to the axis of said spool,for film developing, and according to a second way with said platesfacing each other, parallelly to each other, for transportation of theap paratus.

9. An apparatus for developing a spiral wound film which comprises, incombination, a horizontal support, an annular tank having two parallelfiat walls at a distance from each other a little greater than the widthof said film so that the film can be wound in said tank, said tank beingpivotally mounted on said support about an axis parallel to said fiatwalls so that it can be given any desired position from a horizontal oneto a vertical one, a strip of flexible opaque material, inert to filmdeveloping chemicals, the width of said strip being smaller than thedistance between said walls, so that said strip can be wound helicallyin said tank in interspacing relation with a film helically woundtherein, said strip being provided, near each of its edges, with atleast one row of holes located at equal intervals from one another, ahelical spring of a pitch equal to the distance between two adjacentholes of each of said rows, passing through said holes so as to keepsaid strip at aumlform distance from said film, and means forcirculating a liquid through said tank.

References Cited by the Examiner UNITED STATES PATENTS 1/1918 MacDonald-90.5 6/1940 Lange 95--90.5

1. AN APPARATUS FOR THE TREATMENT OF A BAND BY A LIQUID, SAID BAND BEINGPACKED SO THAT RESPECTIVE PORTIONS THEREOF ARE LOCATED OPPOSITE ONEANOTHER, WHICH APPARATUS COMPRISES, IN COMBINATION, A TANK HAVING TWOWALLS PARALLEL TO EACH OTHER AND BETWEEN WHICH SAID BAND IS DISPOSEDEDGEWISE SO AS TO FIT IN THE SPACE BETWEEN SAID WALLS, A STRIP OFFLEXIBLE MATERIAL PACKED IN A MANNER SIMILAR TO THAT IN WHICH SAID BANDIS PACKED SO THAT EVERY PORTION THEREOF IS LOCATED BETWEEN CORRESPONDINGPORTIONS OF SAID BAND, SAID STRIP BEING PROVIDED, NEAR ONE OF ITS EDGES,WITH AT LEAST ONE ROW OF HOLES LOCATED AT EQUAL INTERVALS FROM ONEANOTHER, A HELICAL SPRING OF A PITCH EQUAL TO THE DISTANCE BETWEEN TWOADJACENT HOLES OF SAID ROW PASSING THROUGH SAID HOLES SO AS TO KEEP SAIDSTRIP AT A UNIFORM DISTANCE FROM SAID BAND, AND MEANS FOR CIRCULATING AFLUID THROUGH SAID TANK.